Distender device and method for treatment of obesity and metabolic and other diseases

Abstract

A gastrointestinal implant device is positioned in a patient's small intestine or rectum and produces an outward force that itself produces a distension signal which is a therapeutically useful neural or humoral signal that evokes satiogenic or weight loss effects by itself. The device may advantageously be placed in the duodenum adjacent the pylorus or in the jejunum, ileum or rectum. The distension signals may amplify chemosensory or mechanosensory signals such as enteroendocrine secretions within the patient. The device may be a mesh and include a low material density that allows for unrestricted chyme absorption within the small intestine and unrestricted chyme flow through the gastrointestinal system. A method includes inserting the device into the patient then either retrieving the device after treatment is complete or allowing a device formed of a biodegradable material to degrade in time after treatment is complete.

1 . A method for treating obesity and/or lowering of weight or adiposity in a patient comprising:
 inserting at least one device capable of exerting an outward force in said patient's rectum; generating a distension signal by exertion of said outward force by said device only;   said outward force causing said distension signal to thereby evoke weight loss or satiogenic effects by itself; and   said distension signal amplifying one or more chemosensory signals within said patient.   
     
     
         2 . An insertable weight loss apparatus for a patient comprising:
 a rectal implant consisting of a discrete tubular-shaped device adapted for deployment in said patient's rectum and for exerting physical pressure radially outward sufficient to evoke a therapeutically useful distension signal of satiety.   
     
     
         3 . The insertable weight loss apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein said device comprises a helical shape. 
     
     
         4 . The insertable weight loss apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein said device comprises a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         5 . The insertable weight loss apparatus as in  claim 4 , wherein said device is a cylinder other than a right cylinder. 
     
     
         6 . The insertable weight loss apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein said device comprises an annular wave radial spring. 
     
     
         7 . The insertable weight loss apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein said device includes a diameter that varies in a longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         8 . The insertable weight loss apparatus as in  claim 7 , wherein said device comprises a conical shape. 
     
     
         9 . The insertable weight loss apparatus as in  claim 7 , wherein said device includes a diameter that varies in regularly repeating manner in the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         10 . The insertable weight loss apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein said device includes a non-circular cross section. 
     
     
         11 . The insertable weight loss apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein said device comprises a mesh with a material density of less than 25%. 
     
     
         12 . The insertable weight loss apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein said physical pressure varies along a longitudinal direction of said device. 
     
     
         13 . The insertable weight loss apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein said device is formed of a biodegradable material that lasts until treatment of said patient is complete. 
     
     
         14 . The insertable weight loss apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein said device is formed of shape memory material. 
     
     
         15 . The insertable weight loss apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein said device is an expansile device. 
     
     
         16 . The insertable weight loss apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein said device has a length less than 40 centimeters. 
     
     
         17 . The insertable weight loss apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein said therapeutically useful distension signal amplifies one or more chemosensory signals. 
     
     
         18 . The insertable weight loss apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein said apparatus further consists of a fixation member that stabilizes said device in place. 
     
     
         19 . The insertable weight loss apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein an amount of said physical pressure is externally controllable. 
     
     
         20 . The insertable weight loss apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein said device is formed of radio-opaque materials and includes markers that are detectable using imaging techniques when said device is inside said patient.